Strainer cleaner



Nov. 27, 1951 w, 2,576,470

STRAINER CLEANER Filed Feb. 4, 1948 ATTORNEYS INVENTOR Y 1 I I BY I I I 1 Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I STRAINER CLEANER Omer W. May, Georgetown, Ky. Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,271

By way of explanation, it might be stated that in washing machines now on the market, strainers are provided for straining the washing fluid from the tanks of the washers, to separate lint, threads and other foreign matter, from the liquid as it passes to the drain pipe of the washing machine, thereby preventing clogging of the drain pipe.

It frequently happens that the lint, string and foreign matter separated from the water, clogs the openings of the strainer, which is usually constructed of foraminous material, to defeat the purpose of the screening member.

When the screening member becomes clogged, it is necessary to allow the washing fluid to drain onto the floor of the room in which the washing machine is installed, and then remove the strainer which may be cleaned and replaced.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide means to remove such clogging foreign matter or lint from the openings of the strainer, to permit the washing fluid to pass through the usual drain opening. After the water has passed from the drain opening, the strainer may now be removed and cleaned without the necessity of allowing the washing fluid to drain onto the floor of the room.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a screen cleaner of this character which will form a part of the screen and will when not in use, be out of the way so that the flow of washing fluid or water from the tub or tank will not be retarded.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cleaner which embodies a member movable longitudinally of the screening member, the movable member having teeth that contact with the screen and move over the openings of the screen to pick up lint, threads or other foreign matter which may become wedged in the openings of the screening member, to dislodge them from the openings to free the openings and allow the flow of washing fluid into the usual drain pipe.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 is a plan view of a strainer equipped 1 Claim. 01. 210-151) with a cleaning device, constructed in accordance with the invention. v

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2- of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the scraper blade of the device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the usual washing machine tank which is provided with the usual drain opening, guarded by the strainer 6 which comprises an elongated foraminous body portion box-like in construction with an open top, the bottom thereof being curved as at l. The water from the tank of the washing machine passes through the strainer to the drain opening, and the openings of the strainer frequently become so clogged with lint and other foreign matter that the Washing fluid or water cannot pass therethrough.

The front wall 8 of the strainer is formed with an opening in which the tube 9 is secured, the tube being so mounted that one end thereof extends into the body portion of the strainer, while the opposite end is secured to the disc [0 and held within an opening of the disc l0. This disc l6 supports the gasket I that in turn is held into close engagement with the outer surface of the tank, by means of the wire I2 which is secured to the housing, and which swings downwardly, over the latch I3, drawing the gasket into contact with the housing.

Extending through the tube 9, is an operating rod l4 which is of a length to extend to the inner end of the strainer, where it is secured to the scraping blade I5 that is provided with a lower curved edge I6 conforming to the shape of the curved bottom of the strainer, so that it will closely engage the inner surface of the strainer. The side edges of the scraping blade l5 are vertical to contact the vertical side walls of the strainer and remove foreign matter therefrom.

Extending forwardly from the lower edge of the blade [5, are teeth I! that are pointed so that they will engage the lint and foreign matter clogging the openings, to pull the lint and foreign matter from the openings, freeing the openings so that the washing fluid to be drained off may pass therefrom.

The blade [5 embodies spaced members which are formed with aligning openings, the aligning openings being guarded by the screen [8 to screen fluid entering the strainer through the opening [9 at one end of the strainer.

In order that the scraping blade I will be held against twisting while being moved longitudinally of the strainer, rods 20 are provided along the upper side edges of the strainer, the rods 20 being disposed in spaced relation with the upper edges providing a passageway for the bar 2| that extends along the upper edge of the scraping blade IS, the ends of the bar 2| being extended downwardly as at 22 where they contact the outer surfaces of the side walls of the strainer, moving along the side walls as the blade is operated to clear the openings of the strainer.

As clearly shown by the drawing, the rod I4 is 7 connected to the blade l5 at a point adjacent. to

the lower side edge of the blade, so that the rod is out of the way of fluid passing through the.

strainer to insure against the rod acting as a barrier against the passage of the fluid and material contained therein, from the strainer;

In operation, when; the strainer becomes clogged, it is only necessary for the operator to pull the rod forwardly, by gripping the eye at the end of the. rod l4, whereupon the scraping blade is moved longitudinally of the strainer, the teeth I! digging into lint, threads or other foreign matter which may clog the openings of the strainer, pulling the material from the openings, and allowing the washing fluid or water to pass through the strainer, the foreign matter being drawnto the forward end of the. strainer.

After the washing fluid or water has been drained through the new cleared openings, the strainer may be removed without the water draining onto the floor as is usual with washing machines. After the strainer has been properly cleaned, it will, of course, be replaced in the washing machine.

What is claimed is:

In a strainer, an elongated curved perforated strainer body having its upper side open and having an inlet opening formed in one end thereof, a scraper blade fitted within the body and curved to conform to the shape of the body, guide members on the upper edge of the blade contacting with the upper edge of the strainer body guiding the blade in its movements longitudinally of the strainer body, a curved line of teeth extendingv inwardly from the lower edge of the blade, said teeth being disposed in close proximity with each other providing V-shaped cleaning spaces, a rod secured to said blade and by means of'which the blade is moved longitudinally of the body, scraping the inner surface of the body and removing lint from the perforations thereof.

OMER. W. MAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

